Watch and like parts washing machine



y 11, 1954 s. 'r. MORELAND 2,678,052

WATCH AND LIKE PARTS WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 12, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheetl May 11, 1954 5. T MORELAND WATCH AND LIKE PARTS WASHING MACHINE 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 12, 1948 a I .M RL 7 m m MW 0 r m N f H W 7 I5 Y 0/ w .4 a U F w .4, a w n W n w w ma 5 1 Rm] 1 y 1954 s. T. MORELAND2,678,052

WATCH AND LIKE PARTS WASHING MACHINE Filed 001,. 12, 1948 4 Sheets-SheetI5 INVENTOR. 675mm 7 Hakim/m May 11, 1954 5,1 EL D 2,678,052

WATCH AND LIKE PARTS WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 12, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet4 I N V EN TOR. 575 /15 7? Mam-2,9110.

Patented May 11, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Ohio, a corporationApplication October 12, 1948, Serial No. 54,134

This invention relates to a machine peculiarly suitable for the cleaningof watch parts.

In the repair and cleaning of watches it is necessary to disassemblesame and clean the several parts. These initially were cleaned by handbrushing, washing, rinsing and drying. Then the parts were supplied to acleaner having a reciprocatory and revolving cage. However, the cleaningsolution was of attacking character so that the jeweler frequently, dueto attending trade, left the parts exposed to such solution for too longa time resulting in damage thereto.

It is the chief object of this invention to provide a device to whichthe watch parts may be applied and then the power manually initiated andthe rest of the cycle of washing, rinsing, drying, etc., is entirelyautomatic and when these operations are effected the machine isautomatically stopped.

The chief feature of the present invention resides in the constructionand operation of the machine whereby cyclic operation is attained toaccomplish the foregoing object, such feature being chiefly directed tothe full automatic control of the machine.

Another feature of the invention resides in the circulating character ofthe parts supporting cage.

Other objects and features of the invention will be set forth more fullyhereinafter.

6 Claims. 134-77) Fig. is a perspective view of the cage memberillustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8.

In the drawings I0 indicates a segmental table having a depending wall 5I. Formed therein are three wells [2, see Fig. 2, to detachably receiveand partially nest jars or vessels i3 adapted to receive covers. Theseveral liquids are contained in said vessels. Seated in a fourthwell'is a tubular shield 15.

Extending downwardly from said table H], see Fig. i, and adjacent itsvertex is a tubular portion It terminating in elongated bearing l! forseating the upright member 58. Collar member l9 and set screw cooperatewith bearing H to seat the upright is which projects upwardly and has athread 2| thereon above which is a shaft [8a. Upright I8 is free to moveupwardly, but collar I9 limits downward movement as shown.

In radial alignment with member 2i and each well is a tubular member 22detachably secured to table it as at 23. Table I0 in alignment with thebore of member 22 includes a reduced aperture at 24 of smaller diameterthan the bore of member 22.

A head, indicated generally by numeral 25, see

Figs. 1 and 2, is rotatably and cantileverly sup- The full nature of theinvention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and thefollowing description and claims:

In the drawings Fig. l is a perspective view of an embodiment of theinvention in the so-called idle or standby position, the parts receivingcage being omitted.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same parts with the head in loweredposition and at the third station, the liquid containing vessel beingomitted.

Fig. 3 is a top plane view of the head with cover removed.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the invention with the head inthe elevated position.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the back member, table and shockabsorbers.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of one form of cage.

Fig. 7 is a radial sectional View of same taken on line l-'i of Fig. 6and in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is a transverse section of the basket holder with basket removedand is taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7 and in the direction of the arrows. QFig. 9 is a wiring diagram.

ported by means associated with upright member 18. Depending from saidhead is plunger 26. When the head is lowered plunger 25 enters tube 22and initially insures precise alignment. As the plunger 26 finallyseats, it serve as a cushioned pilot. Herein plunger 2 5 comprises twotelescopically associated parts 25a and 2th with oppositely directedstop flanges as shown. Disposed therein and constraining the parts 26aand 26b to extended position is spring 2! guided by stem 28.

The free end of head 25 includes an offset portion 25a providcdwith boss25b to accommodate tube 29 secured as at 29c. Slidable upon the tube isskirted cap 30, the downward motion of Which is limited by stop 2%, seeFig. '7. Within the tube are upper and lower bearing Sid and 3| b whichrotatably support shaft 32 that projects beyond said tube at theopposite ends thereof. The lower projecting end, see Figs. 4, 6 and '7,has secured thereto, as at 33c, the hub of a spider, the arms of whichare in the form of fan blades 33. The arms are extended at 34a. andterminate in ring 34; Also carried by the hub are the spring fingers 35,see Figs. 6 and 7.

A cage 40 includes upper ring 3i from which there projects upwardly thearcuate latches 38 adapted to look upon extensions Sta. When associatedtherewith, the spring fingers 35 then operatively bear upon the basketcover 39 of the uppermost basket 36. Successive baskets 36 are stackedand thus close the next lower basket. Herein the cage 40 includes ribsand the internal bottom flange 40a, see Fig. 7. Each rib of cage it isbeveled as at 4027, see Fig. 8, to draw liquid into the cage trappedbasket during rotation thereof.

A stop collar ll resting on bearing 3m holds shaft 32, as shown in Figs.3 and 4. Fixed to the upper end of said shaft is pulley 42 driven byendless belt 43 or the like. This in turn is driven by pulley M on shaft45 within said housing. Shaft 45 at its lower end mounts pinion tsmeshing with gear 41 to which reference will be had later.

Shaft d is driven at the desired reduced speed by reduction drive unit43 driven by motor 49 disposed within housing 25. Plunger 5!], see Fig.3, is normally constrained outwardly and controls a switch (not shown)normally constrained to closed position. When plunger 50 is forcedinwardly, as hereinafter described the switch controlled thereby isopened, and this opens the circuit to the motor 49.

A tubular shaft 5i, see Fig. 4, depends from head 25. It is externallythreaded as at 52 and near its lower end mounts a cam collar 53. Aconventional roller or needle bearing 54 within shaft 5i rotatablysupports the upper end of upright screw member I82i. Collar 53 includesinwardly directed pin 55 that is engaged with thread it. As the shaft 51is rotated the pin 55 serves as a nut to cause the head rapidly to movedownwardly.

As shown in Fig, 4 the upper end of tubular externally threaded shaft BIis rotatably supported by another conventional'roller or needle bearing5%} in bracket 5? of the head 25. As indicated at led the upright memberat its upper end nests within tubular screw 5|-52.

Disposed near the vertex of the table In and suitably secured thereto asat 58a is the arouately sectioned indexing frame member 58. This framemember includes in its inner face as many vertical channels 59 as thereare wells in the table it. The upper ends of the channels are connectedby a cross channel 60 which, see Fig. 5, at its right end is extended attile and terminates in a short channel 6! as shown. Cross channel as isof successive biased length type, see tcb, which facilitates automaticstep by step traversing.

The left hand edge 5% of this frame member 58 is adapted to engageplunger 5t. When so engaged the head carried follower 62, see Fig. 4,seats in channel 6|. Thus the head is held in the elevated position.When the elevated head is raised slightly and rotated so that follower52 may completely traverse channel 60 to edge 58?) the head then is inradial alignment with the first well. It then automatically lowers,dwells, and then automatically elevates, as will be described. At theconclusion of this elevation follower B2, incident to angular torque ofthe head'rides the downwardly sloping wall '63 of channel be until thefollower registers with the second channel 59 and the cycle is repeateduntil the follower enters seat 6| and edge 58?) actuates plunger 55] tostop the automatic functioning. Note each of the walls 53 slopedownwardly to the right.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and the frame 58 slidably supports aplunger 64. It is radially directed toward shaft 51 and on its I freeand adjacent end is provided with a partial nut having a suitablythreaded face 65 adapted to mesh with threads 52. When said plunger andpartial nut are meshed with said threads 52 the head 25 and screw Eliare elevated. When cam face 53a, in the rotation of member 5| and collar53, engages beveled face 65a, the plunger Ed is forced rearwardly. Thislimits upper travel of head 25, etc. At this time follower 52 inengagement with curved cam surface tilb is disposed slightly above wall63 and the inherent reaction of rotating parts 45 and il createsclockwise torque on head 25 and turns the head slightly so that follower62 engages downwardly sloping wall 53 and then follows it to the nextchannel 59 which it enters.

Plunger t l is notched at 64c and disposed therein is the end 65 oflever 61 pivoted at 68. Ihe other end of the lever is pivotallyconnected to core 69 of solenoid it. When energized the solenoid itprojects the plunger 6% into meshing engagement with threads 52.

Lever ti mounts arm H (see Fig. 5) which is disposed adjacent switch armit. Thus only momentary fenergization of solenoid "It is requiredbecause upon such energization the arm l'l engages arm "E2 to close thesolenoid maintaining circuit. When cam collar 53 engages plunger M andforces it rearwardly the arm ii disengages from arm 12 and the solenoidmaintaining switch is permitted to open.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 9 there is shown a master switch 13, current supplylines i4 and a timer switch control 75. A motor it rotates plate Tlcarrying cam pins 18 that, in rotation of motor i engage switch member15. Cam pins it are spaced from one another and their movement is timedto provide a dwell period of the cage in each vessel l3 for apredetermined time interval calculated to provide adequate cleaning ofthe watch parts. It will be noted from inspection of Fig. 9 that pins 18provide three dwell periods of equal time duration and a fourth dwellperiod of greater time duration. During each of the three equal periodscage 48 rotates within one of the vessels i3, but during the longerdwell period cage All rotates within the heated shield ill. Note alsobutton 553 controls switch Elia. This is normally closed except whenbutton 5c is forced inwardly by edge 58b as described.

Operation is as follows: Main switch 73 can be closed. As long as thehead has member 62 disposed in slot seat 6! the switch 58a is open. Thehead drops by gravity being retarded by screw it and the cushion device2? etc. 22. Solenoid it is energized at 75 and held energized until camsurface 53a moves plunger 54 and therewith arm H out of engagement withswitch '52. Then the solenoid circuit is deenergized.

Also disclosed in Fig. 9 is a heater "lea, which is energized when poweris supplied to motors l5 and i9. This heater is disposed in the bottomof the open top well [5. When the basket cage is disposed in well i5 theheat in that confined space drives off the liquid cleaner still adheringby surface tension to the small parts, etc. It, of course, is understoodthat the basket cage is rotated from the time it is lowered into thefirst station jar until it is elevated from open top well i5.

Fromthe foregoing the jeweler need only supply the several parts to theseveral baskets, apply same to the cage and it in turn to the head. Fig.1 illustrates head 25' in its normal rest position. Switch 50a isnormally open due to the fact that the plunger 50 is in engagement. withframe member 58 at the edge 58b and pushed inwardly. Switches 12, I3 and'15 are normally open. Therefore, to initiate operation the jewellermoves the head 25 in a counterclockwise direction, disengaging follower62 from slot seat 6! and continuing the rotation of head 25 untilfollower 52 becomes aligned with the left hand vertical channel 59 (Fig.5). During this action plunger 53 becomes disengaged from edge 58b,closing switch 590.. Master switch 13 may then be closed to energizemotor 49, motor l3 and heater 76a. Motor 49 runs continuously androtates the cage 40, together with shaft 5i. Rotation of shaft 5| has noeffect since solenoid Hi is de-energized, and plunger 54 is disengagedfrom threads 52. When the Jeweller releases head 55, gravity causes itto move downwardly with the guide pin 62 in left hand channel 5B.Downward movement of head 25 is impeded by pin 55 engaging thread 2| ofupright member [8. Member l8 floats freely within shaft 5! and rotateson collar member [9, whereby head 25 has controlled downward movement.Part 25b enters tubular member 22 and eventually engages the shouldersof the reduced aperture 24, whereupon spring 2'! acts to cushionengagement of plunger 26 with the upper end of tubular member 22. Atthis time the cage 48 will have entered the right hand container [3(Fig. 1) and will come to rest in position to wash the parts beingcleaned.

Meanwhile, timing motor 16 will have rotated plate H to such a positionthat pin liia will engage switch 15. It will be understood that Fig. 9illustrates plate "ii in the position where switch 75 is to be operatedfor the third time. Cage 46 remains in the first container [3 for acalculated, predetermined period after which pin "ma closes switch 75.This timed closure of switch 15 energizes solenoid to actuate core t9,lever B! and plunger 64, moving the plunger to the left into threadedengagement with threads 52. This action of the solenoid moves the arm ll(Fig. 5) into engagement with switch arm i2, thereby to hold solenoid H3in energized condition. This allows plate Tl to continue its timingcycle with pin 18a slipping by arm and permitting this switch to open.While plunger B l engages threads 52, the continuous rotation of memberat causes head 59 to be elevated, thereby lifting cage 40 out of vessel13. Meanwhile, pin 55 in engagement with threads 2i tends to liftupright member i3. However, since it floats freely in shaft 5|, theaction of gravity causes member iii to rotate and either maintain itsposition shown in Fig. 4 or to move downwardly to that position as head25 is elevated.

Upward movement of head 25 continues until cam face 53a engages thelower edge of plunger 54, moving it out of engagement with threads 52and stopping the upward movement of head 25. Disengagement of plunger 64simultaneously moves arm 1| out of engagement and rides downwardly alongthe sloping wall 53 of channel iii into the second channel 59, wherebythe head 25 is permitted to move cage 4!] downwardly into the secondvessel l3 in the same manner as described in connection with the firstvessel i3. Meanwhile, timing motor 76 has been rotating plate 'i'i, andassuming that plate l'i' rotates in a clockwise direction, pin i8 willbe moved into engagement with switch 15 after the cage has rotatedwithin the second vessel id for a predetermined time period. Thereafterhead 25 will be elevated as previously described.

The head 25 is cyclically rotated from one vessel 53 to another and intothe heated shell it. When the cage it and head 25 are elevated out ofshell 15, the follower 62 enters the extension of cross channel fiii andat this point the head 25 has rotated in a clockwise direction to such adegree that the plunger 5ft engages the edge 58?) of the frame member58, thereby opening the contacts of switch 553a to tie-energize motor G9and terminate the last cycle of operation, with the head in the positionillustrated in Fig. l. The cleaning fluid used is somewhat corrosive sothat this device prevents destruction or excessive action upon thedelicate parts being cleaned. The jeweler accordingly can wait upontrade without any worry relative to part wear, etc. Also member 75,Figs. 1 and 2 can regulate the time interval within the range of itscapabilities.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in great detailin the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be consideredas illustrative and not restrictive in character.

The several modifications described herein as well as others which willreadily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, all areconsidered to be within the broad scope of the invention, referencebeing had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A cleaning machine comprising a table having arcuately disposed wellportions, a screw rotatably mounted on said table centrally of said wellportions, a head rotatably mounted on said screw and including adepending basket and continuously operating driving means operativelyassociated with the basket and the screw, a partial nut movably mountedon said table adjacent said screw for operative engagement therewith, asolenoid operatively associated with said nut, timed switching means forenergizing said solenoid to engage said nut with the screw forperiodically initiating elevation of the head, cam means on the screwmovable into engagement with said nut for disengaging it when the headreaches its uppermost position, guide means on said head, and anindexing means mounted on said table adjacent the path of movement ofsaid head and including a plurality of vertical guide channels forreceiving said guide means and aligning said basket with said wellportions, said indexing means also including cams extending between saidchannels for receiving said guide to hold said head in elevated positionduring rotation of the head and basket from one well portion. toanother.

2. A cleaning machine comprising a table having arcuately disposed wellportions, a screw rotatably mounted on said table centrally of said wellportions, 2. head rotatably mounted on said screw and including adepending basket and continuously operating driving means operativelyassociated with the basket and the screw, a partial nut movably mountedon said table adjacent said 7, screw for operative engagement therewith,a solenoid operatively associated with said nut, timed switching meansfor energizing said solenoid to engage said nut with the screw forperiodically initiating elevation of the head, cam means on the screwmovable into engagement with said nut for disengaging it when the headreaches its uppermost position, guide means on said head, and anindexing means mounted on said table adjacent the path of movement ofsaid head for receiving said guide means and aligning said basket withsaid well portions, said indexing mean also including structure forreceiving said guide to hold said head in elevated position duringrotation of the head and basket from one well portion to another.

3. A cleaning machine comprisin a table having arcuately disposed wellportions, a threaded member rotatably mounted on said table centrally ofsaid well portions, a head rotatably mounted on said member andincluding a depending basket and continuously operating driving meansoperatively associated with the basket and the member, a partial nutmovably mounted on said table adjacent said member for operativeengagement therewith, t'Lned actuating means for engaging said nut withthe threaded member for periodically initiating elevation of the head,means on the member movable into engagement with said nut fordisengaging it when the head reaches its uppermost position, and anindexing means mounted on said table adjacent the path of movement ofsaid head for aligning said basket with said well portions and forguiding the head and basket from one Well portion to another.

4. A cleaning machine comprising a table having arcuately disposed wellportions, a threaded member rotatably mounted on said table centrally ofsaid well portions, a head rotatably mounted on said member andincluding a depending basket and continuously operating driving meansoperatively associated with the basket and the member, a partial nutmovably mounted on said table adjacent said member for operativeengagement therewith, actuating means for engaging said nut with themember for periodically initiating elevation of the head, means on themember movable into engagement with said nut ,for disengaging it whenthe head reaches its uppermost position, an indexing means mounted onsaid table adjacent the path of movement of said head for aligning saidbasket with said well portions and for guiding the head and basket fromone well portion to another, and shockabsorbing mean extendingdownwardly from said head comprising spring-biased telescoping tubularmembers movable into engagement with said table.

.5. A cleaning machine comprising a table having arcuately disposedvessels, an elevator mounted on said table centrally of said vessels, ahead rotatably mounted on said elevator and including a depending basketand continuously operating driving means operatively associated with thebasket and the elevator, electromagnetic actuating means operativelyassociated with said elevator, timed switching means for energizing saidelectromagnetic actuating means to periodically initiate elevation ofthe head, cam means on the elevator in operative relation to saidelectromagnetic actuating means for resetting it when the head reachesits uppermost position and stopping elevation thereof, and an indexingmeans mounted on said table adjacent the path of movement of said headfor aligning said basket with said well portions, said indexing meansincluding a stop portion for stopping motion of said head after apredetermined number of elevations thereof.

6. A cleaning machine comprising a table having arcuately disposedvessels, an elevator mount ed on said table centrally of said vessels, ahead rotatably mounted on said elevator and including a depending basketand continuously operating driving, means operatively associated withthe basket and the elevator, means for periodically initiating elevationof the head, means for automatically stopping elevation of the head whenit reaches its uppermost position, guide means on said head, and anindexing means mounted on said table adjacent the path of movement ofsaid head and including a plurality of vertical guide channels forreceiving said guide means and aligning said basket with said wellportions, said indexingmeans also including cams extending between saidchannels for receiving said guide to guide the head and basket from onewell portion to another, and a stop for receiving said guide means whenthe head rotates through a predetermined angle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 556,358 Maxfield Mar. 17, 1896 1,310,495 Ford July 22, 19191,626,022 Corbett Apr. 25, 1927 1,795,167 Gross Mar. 3, 1931 2,195,123Pabst Mar. 26, 1940 2,341,197 Weiskopi Feb. 8, 1944 2,341,198 WeiskopfFeb. 8, 1944 2,348,631 Keehnel May 9, 1944 2,416,475 Friedman Feb. 25,1947 2,496,506 Wagner Feb. 7, 1950 2,510,912 Schurenberg June 6, 19502,559,921 Aiello et al. July 10, 1951 2,565,326 Schurenberg Aug. 21,1951

